Modding Cloverleaf-Shaped Tuners

[Rama]

First of all: Mods feel free to move this thread to where it rightfully belongs. I did not feel it should be in the luthier corner, because this only concerns about tuners and not building a bass from scratch.

This week I felt the urge to change my Fender '62 AVRI bass' tuners with much more lighter tuners and while changing them I immediately thought I could modify the cloverleaf shaped tuners into a heart shaped one.

1. Should I buy vintage shaped cloverleafs or standard ones to mod it into a heart shape?

Last evening I messaged a friend who could make art with just a chunk of metal, but it is still not certain if he feels up for it to just mod (quite) expensive tuners.
2. Just in case if this won't work out, I am curious if there are any professional builders that would make custom tuners or do modification with tuners. I did not messaged Hipshot, Schaller or any other luthier yet.

3.In the event if my friend pulls it off I am wondering how should the 'missing' chrome on top turn into chrome again. <-- sorry couldn't find a nice English sentence for that one.

Thank you for reading and I welcome all of your suggestions/ideas/opinions/remarks and etc..

Rama

P.S. I already saw the Ibanez heart shaped tuners, but I am not interested in them. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/heart-shaped-machine-heads-482644/

 

[FunkMetalBass]

1. It might be easier to mod new ones, but that depends on your ability. Heart-shaped tuners are probably going to be difficult to find.

2. Hipshot *may* do them, but I don't know for sure. Ritter uses some custom [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. You could try contacting Jens to see if he will sell some to you.

3. Attaching chrome is done through a specific method electroplating. Having it re-chromed will probably be somewhat costly as well.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I do custom metalworking on instrument hardware. I build all of my own bridges, tailpieces and other metal parts for my basses, and I modify tuners for special applications.

The modification you are describing is simple enough. One important thing: you will need to pick a brand/model of tuner that can be fully disassembled. After the key is cut to the new shape, it will need to be stripped of the chrome plating and replated. That can't be done to an assembled tuner. The key with the worm shaft has to be able to be removed from the housing. On most modern tuners this is no problem, but there are some models that are pressed or crimped together permanently.

You're looking at about a $150 job to do the set.

You can PM me or look up my web site and contact me through there. I'm in Burbank, CA

 

[Rama]

1. It might be easier to mod new ones, but that depends on your ability. Heart-shaped tuners are probably going to be difficult to find.

2. Hipshot *may* do them, but I don't know for sure. Ritter uses some custom [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. You could try contacting Jens to see if he will sell some to you.

3. Attaching chrome is done through a specific method electroplating. Having it re-chromed will probably be somewhat costly as well.

Yep, I was already thinking that modding should be the way to go, too bad the Gotoh tuners aren't that bold. Oh well.

@Bruce Johnson: I will send you a pm